''I'm just trying to put up good at-bats and help the team
out,'' Schierholtz said. ''Just try not to do too much. Just trying
to keep it simple and go out there and have fun.''

Schierholtz connected for a three-run shot in the first and a
two-run drive in the seventh in his fourth career multihomer
game.

He also had an RBI double in the third in Chicago's
highest-scoring game since a 14-6 victory over Houston on June
23.

He went 3 for 4 while moving into a tie with Anthony Rizzo for
the team lead with 18 homers. He also is second only to Rizzo with
58 RBIs.

Not bad for a journeyman outfielder who was non-tendered by
Philadelphia after last season and agreed to a one-year deal with
Chicago in late December.

`I'd like to be part of the future here,'' said Schierholtz, who
feared he might be traded before last month's non-waiver deadline.
''I'm happy I'm not out of here.''

Donnie Murphy added a pair of solo homers and Dioner Navarro had
a three-run shot for the Cubs, who managed just 12 runs total in
their previous eight home games.

It was more than enough for Samardzija (7-11), who pitched a
six-hitter for his second complete game of the season and No. 3 for
his career. He struck out five and walked none in his first victory
in a month.

''Regardless of what I did out there, you've got to tip your hat
to the offense,'' Samardzija said. ''Puts you in the zone. Allows
you to relax and throw your pitches. They were great out
there.''

Wilson Ramos hit his eighth homer in the seventh, but that was
it for Washington. Bryce Harper finished with two hits.

Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann (14-7) allowed a
season-high eight runs in five innings in his first loss since July
26 against the New York Mets. The All-Star was 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA
in his previous three starts.

''My stuff's been good all year,'' he said. ''Fastball's been
good, slider was good tonight. Just the location was off tonight
and it's something I've got to work on.''

The three home runs matched a season high for Zimmermann, who is
tied with St. Louis ace Adam Wainwright for the NL lead with 14
wins.

''He's a tremendous pitcher, he's going to be fine,'' Nationals
manager Davey Johnson said. ''This was not good, obviously. But I
think he came through it all right.''

The Nationals acquired outfielder David DeJesus in a pregame
trade with the Cubs, but their fringe playoff hopes took a hit with
their third loss in four games.

They trail NL East-leading Atlanta by 16 games, but the most
important number at this point is their 10 1/2-game deficit
compared to Cincinnati in the race for the second NL wild-card
slot.

The acquisition of DeJesus gives Washington another veteran
left-handed bat for their bench. The 33-year-old DeJesus hit .250
with six homers and 27 RBIs in 84 games with the Cubs, who began
the day in last in the NL Central.

DeJesus hit for Ryan Zimmerman in the eighth and received a warm
ovation from the crowd of 31,290 on a beautiful night in Chicago.
He popped out to shortstop and remained in the game to play center
field.

''I'm going to give it my all,'' said DeJesus, who merely had to
move over to the visitors' clubhouse at Wrigley Field to join to
his new team. ''Try and be a guy out there as a leader and a guy
that young guys can learn from.''

The Cubs get a player to be named in the trade, but they also
save about $2.5 million, including a $1.5 million buyout for a 2014
team option worth $6.5 million. General manager Jed Hoyer said the
money was a ''strong consideration.''

''We really like David a lot,'' Hoyer said. ''I've told his
agent and Theo told David directly, we'd be willing to talk to him
about bringing him back at some point. He's a good mentor for our
younger guys.''

NOTES: Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo (illness) got the day off. Manager
Dale Sveum said he hopes he will be ready for Tuesday night's game.
... The Cubs activated OF Brian Bogusevic (strained left hamstring)
from the 15-day disabled list to take DeJesus' roster spot, and
general manager Jed Hoyer said OF Ryan Sweeney (broken left rib)
likely will begin a rehab stint next week. ... The Nationals
released OF Roger Bernardina to make room on their roster.
Bernardina hit .178 in 85 games with Washington. ... Nationals RHP
Dan Haren (7-11, 4.79 ERA) faces Cubs LHP Chris Rusin (2-2, 3.06
ERA) in the second game of the series.

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